HKFP Lens: Hong Kong celebrates 27th anniversary of Handover to China

Monday marked 27 years since Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule. This year also marked the first Handover anniversary since the city passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, a locally-legislated security law more commonly known as Article 23.

Hong Kong marked the 27th anniversary of the Handover to China with a closed flag-raising ceremony in Admiralty on July 1, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Celebrations for the 27th Handover anniversary began on Monday morning, with top government officials and other guests wearing patriotic pins which featured the Chinese and Hong Kong flags at a ceremony and reception in Admiralty.

Among those on the front row of the flag-raising ceremony were Chief Executive John Lee; former leaders Carrie Lam, Leung Chun-ying and Donald Tsang; Chief Justice Andrew Cheung; and the director of China’s liaison office in Hong Kong, Zheng Yanxiong.